Age-Friendly DC

Mayor Muriel Bowser Releases 2016 Age-Friendly DC Progress Report

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

2016 Age-Friendly Progress Report Marks the Completion of the Second Full Year of Implementation

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser released the 2016 Age-Friendly DC Progress Report. Guided by the World Health Organization (WHO), Age-Friendly DC is a citywide initiative that works to transform the District into an easier place to grow older by bringing together DC residents of all ages with government and community partners. The initiative works to prepare DC for a future with more residents and visitors who are age 50 and older and to ensure that we offer to people of all ages opportunities to thrive and live life with purpose. The report tracks progress on 75 strategies across ten Age-Friendly DC Strategic Plan domains.

“We know that we can make the District a great place to age by increasing access to affordable, accessible, multigenerational housing; providing reliable and convenient, low-cost transportation options; and expanding access to wellness services, including healthy food, health care, and safe places to exercise close to home,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Age-Friendly DC has brought the community together and allowed us to make significant strides on all of these fronts.”

DC is on pace to become only the third U.S. city designated by the WHO as an Age-Friendly City in October 2017. Successes achieved over the course of this second year of implementation include:

Launching the Safe at Home Program to provide grants of up to $10,000 for home modifications.

Receiving an Inclusive Planning Impacts Grant from the Community Transportation Association of America to explore the feasibility of a “one-call, one-click” transportation system.

Piloting an intergenerational gardening program to maintain school gardens over the summer.

Developing a program to connect residents who are homebound with one another to engage in meaningful conversations.

Recognizing 32 local businesses as Age-Friendly Businesses, bringing the total number of recognized businesses to 43, spread out across all eight wards.

Launching the Alternative Pathways to Employment Program to refresh the job skills of 50+ year old residents and place program graduates in good jobs.

Training nearly 200 direct service providers from the Senior Service Network in LGBTQ cultural competency.

Training over 10,000 residents in the Hands on Hearts CPR Program.

Providing “Senior$afe” training to financial securities firm personnel on how to spot and report financial exploitation.

Age-Friendly DC leadership is provided by 34 DC Government agencies with help from numerous volunteers and community partners, including AARP-DC and George Washington University. More information about the progress made in each of the domains and the findings from the Age-Friendly DC Livability Survey can be found at agefriendly.dc.gov.